Man jailed 20 years for murder over land dispute

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Man jailed 20 years for murder over land dispute

PORT MORESBY: A 42-year-old man was jailed 20 years with hard labour by the National Court in Bomana for killing a man over a land dispute in 2018.

In convicting Kapana Misi, judge Justice Camillus Sambu said killing over land disputes was becoming prevalent.

“People are taking the law into their own hands without seeking proper legal avenues to resolve problems,” he added.

The court proceedings were published by The National:

Man gets 20-year sentence for murder over land

January 26, 2022The NationalNational

By CLARISSA MOI
A 42-YEAR-OLD man was jailed 20 years with hard labour by the National Court in Bomana for killing a man over a land dispute in 2018.
In convicting Kapana Misi, acting judge Justice Camillus Sambu said killing over land disputes was becoming prevalent.
“People are taking the law into their own hands without seeking proper legal avenues to resolve problems,” he added.
There was a customary dispute over Morikini land in Abau between the Ipatha and Keruerupu clans.
On Dec 11, 2018 between 10am and 11am in Morikini Illimonthova grassland, Misi and men from the Keruerupu clan, armed with weapons including bush knives and sticks, confronted Isaac Wapana from the Ipatha clan.
During the confrontation, Warava One fired his spear gun hitting Wapana on his chest. (One, who was also jointly charged with murder, has since died in prison).
Misi also fired his spear gun and shot Wapana in his left leg, causing him to fall.
Wapana’s death was caused by a spear wound to his left lung.
Defence lawyer submitted that the Wapana instigated the fight which led to his death, hence a suspended sentence should be given.
However, State lawyer Solomon Kuku argued that such offences called for strict disciplinary custodial sentence as a life was taken away unlawfully.
Justice Sambua said: “Life is precious and a gift from God and once it is lost, it is gone for good.
“No compensation or remorse will bring back the life lost.”

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